NFL Notebook: Raiders' coach search on hold

Steelers' Whisenhunt top candidate

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, January 25, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders' search for a new coach is in a holding pattern, perhaps until after the Super Bowl.

The Raiders reportedly are interested in talking to Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as a candidate to replace Norv Turner, fired Jan. 3 after two losing seasons then hired last week as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator.

An interview with Whisenhunt would have to take place after the Steelers play the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Detroit. He is in his ninth season as an NFL coach and second in charge of Pittsburgh's offense after working the previous three years as the team's tight ends coach.

Saunders has since left the Kansas City Chiefs to become offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins and Marinelli, the former defensive line coach in Tampa Bay, signed a four-year contract last Thursday to be the Detroit Lions' new head coach.

Lofton, a Hall of Fame receiver who coaches the San Diego Chargers' receivers, is the only minority candidate to interview.

VICK DEFENDS BROTHER: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick believes Virginia Tech overreacted when the school dismissed his brother, Marcus, from the football team after he stomped on an opposing player during the Gator Bowl.

Marcus Vick later claimed the incident was accidental and that he apologized to Louisville's Elvis Dumervil, but the All-American defensive end denied receiving an apology.

Michael Vick, who led Virginia Tech to the 1999 national title game as a redshirt freshman, was at the Gator Bowl and saw his brother step on Dumervil.

"Sometimes your emotions just take over," Michael Vick said. "I know Marcus. He's not the kind of kid that's going to do something like that on purpose. That's just something he's got to live with, and now it's just time to move on."

COACHING MOVES: Steve Fairchild was hired as the Bills' offensive coordinator. Fairchild, who spent the past three seasons as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator, broke into the NFL as the Bills' running backs coach in 2001-02. ... The Jets parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who had been passed over for the head coaching job.